Aircraft loading bridge adapter

Abstract

A mobile self-propelled aircraft loading bridge adaptor for bridging between small aircraft and the conventional bridge entry ways provided at airports for use with standard size jets and similar aircraft. In one embodiment, the bridge is supported by spaced apart adjustable lifts that provide independent elevation and lowering of portions connected to the lifts. In another embodiment, a pivot is positioned at a predetermined location near one end of the bridge, and it is operative in combination with a hydraulic lift located near the other end of the bridge to provide desired adjustment. In still another embodiment, the bridge is deployed between a small aircraft and a bus.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An aircraft loading bridge adaptor comprising: (a) an elongated mobile platform having a principal longitudinal axis;   (b) an elongated enclosed bridge structure having its principal axis substantially parallel to said principal longitudinal axis;   (c) a pair of spaced uniaxial essentially vertically disposed and independently controllable lifts connected between spaced locations on said platform and corresponding locations on said enclosed bridge, said pair of lifts controllably and exclusively supporting said bridge; and   (d) control means for continuously and independently changing lengths of said lifts thereby correspondingly raising and lowering said bridge.   
     
     
       2. An aircraft loading bridge adaptor according to claim 1 further including a pivot interconnecting an upper end of one of said lifts with said enclosed bridge structure. 
     
     
       3. An aircraft loading bridge adaptor according to claim 1 in which said elongated mobile platform includes means for self-locomotion. 
     
     
       4. An aircraft loading bridge adaptor according to claim 3 in which said means for self-locomotion includes an engine. 
     
     
       5. An aircraft loading bridge adaptor according to claim 4 and further including a driver/operator position located on said mobile platform external to said enclosed bridge structure and adjacent an end facing an aircraft and at a side adapted for positioning adjacent aircraft propellers. 
     
     
       6. An aircraft loading bridge adaptor according to claim 3 and further including a driver/operator position located on said mobile platform external to said enclosed bridge structure and adjacent an end facing an aircraft and at a side adapted for positioning adjacent aircraft propellers. 
     
     
       7. An aircraft loading bridge adaptor according to claim 1 further including moving means for moving all of said enclosed bridge structure horizontally, essentially at 90 degrees to said principal longitudinal axis, through a predetermined distance with respect to said pair of lifts. 
     
     
       8. An aircraft loading bridge adaptor according to claim 7, in which said moving means is interconnected between upper end portions of said lifts and lower structure portions of said enclosed bridge structure. 
     
     
       9. An aircraft loading bridge adaptor according to claim 1 in which said control means further includes means for automatically actuating said lifts to position said enclosed bridge structure in alignment with an entry/exit portal according to selected aircraft type. 
     
     
       10. An aircraft loading bridge adaptor according to claim 1 further including at one end of said bridge adaptor swing-down extension means for connecting a walking surface of said bridge adaptor to said aircraft. 
     
     
       11. An aircraft loading bridge adaptor according to claim 1 further including at one end of said bridge adaptor swing-down extension means for connecting a walking surface of said bridge adaptor to said aircraft and including at another end of said bridge adaptor folding extension means for connecting said bridge adaptor to another structure. 
     
     
       12. An aircraft loading bridge adaptor comprising: (a) an elongated mobile platform having a principal longitudinal axis;   (b) an elongated enclosed bridge structure having its principal axis substantially parallel to said principal longitudinal axis;   (c) a pair of spaced uniaxial essentially vertically disposed and independent lifts connected between spaced locations on said platform and corresponding locations on said enclosed bridge, said pair of lifts exclusively supporting said bridge;   (d) control means for continuously changing length of one of said pair of lifts; and   (e) a pivot interconnecting an upper end of the other of said pair of lifts with said enclosed bridge structure.   
     
     
       13. An aircraft loading bridge adaptor according to claim 12 in which said elongated mobile platform includes means for self-locomotion. 
     
     
       14. An aircraft loading bridge adaptor according to claim 13 in which said means for self-locomotion includes an engine. 
     
     
       15. An aircraft loading bridge adaptor according to claim 13 and further including a driver/operator position located on said mobile platform external to said enclosed bridge structure and adjacent an end facing an aircraft and at a side adapted for positioning adjacent aircraft propellers. 
     
     
       16. An aircraft loading bridge adaptor according to claim 12 further including moving means for moving all of said enclosed bridge structure horizontally, essentially at 90 degrees to said principal longitudinal axis, through a predetermined distance with respect to said pair of lifts. 
     
     
       17. An aircraft loading bridge adaptor according to claim 16, in which said moving means is interconnected between upper end portions of said lifts and lower structure portions of said enclosed bridge structure. 
     
     
       18. An aircraft loading bridge adaptor according to claim 17 and further including a driver/operator position located adjacent an end facing an aircraft and at a side adapted for positioning adjacent aircraft propellers. 
     
     
       19. An aircraft loading bridge adaptor according to claim 12 in which said control means further includes means for automatically actuating said lifts to position said enclosed bridge structure in alignment with an entry/exit portal according to selected aircraft type. 
     
     
       20. An aircraft loading bridge adaptor according to claim 12 further including at one end of said bridge adaptor swing-down extension means for connecting a walking surface of said bridge adaptor to said aircraft.